ˈplaˌstēn, -_stēə̇n noun
( -s )
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary plast- (from Greek plastos formed, molded) + -ein (as in casein ); probably originally formed in German; from its tendency to pass over into hydrogel
: any of several substances resembling proteins precipitated by the action of proteolytic enzymes (as pepsin or papain) on the digestion products of protein